Work Permits

Alterego · 10-04-2003, 08:47 PM

Hi,

This message goes out to everyone ; I wanted to know what shall an ACCA qualified in Pakistan do, to get registered in ICAEW and how would he seek work permit.
As from late 2004-2005 application of IFRS, the whole EU wide, will increase demand for International Stream students. This shall create opportunities for people like me to seek such a route.
How would you interprete such an opening coming.

saar

saar

salmanhkhan · 10-11-2003, 03:07 PM

Hi there

I can confirm that there is no 'new' route to date for admission to ICAEW with the introduction of IFRS in the EU. I am sure they will have to introduce some kind of new program tailored to the new market needs. As far as I am aware they have not done that as yet. However, what I dont understand is that why all Pakistani CAs are always eager for ICAEW? Although I may admit I was also like that a couple of years ago, but what we need to see is that holding a CA from Pakistan is itself a great achievement. In order to succeed in life one should look for diversity rather than repeating CA again from a particular country (unless you intend to settle in UK). I have many ICAEW friends and collegues and believe me I dont see anything extra in them apart from their interpersonal skills which comes not by doing CA but due to living conditions in UK.
I hope this answers your question.
SK
Hi,

This message goes out to everyone ; I wanted to know what shall an ACCA qualified in Pakistan do, to get registered in ICAEW and how would he seek work permit.
As from late 2004-2005 application of IFRS, the whole EU wide, will increase demand for International Stream students. This shall create opportunities for people like me to seek such a route.
How would you interprete such an opening coming.

saar

saar
[/quote]

salmanhkhan · 10-11-2003, 03:07 PM

Hi there

I can confirm that there is no 'new' route to date for admission to ICAEW with the introduction of IFRS in the EU. I am sure they will have to introduce some kind of new program tailored to the new market needs. As far as I am aware they have not done that as yet. However, what I dont understand is that why all Pakistani CAs are always eager for ICAEW? Although I may admit I was also like that a couple of years ago, but what we need to see is that holding a CA from Pakistan is itself a great achievement. In order to succeed in life one should look for diversity rather than repeating CA again from a particular country (unless you intend to settle in UK). I have many ICAEW friends and collegues and believe me I dont see anything extra in them apart from their interpersonal skills which comes not by doing CA but due to living conditions in UK.
I hope this answers your question.
SK
Hi,

This message goes out to everyone ; I wanted to know what shall an ACCA qualified in Pakistan do, to get registered in ICAEW and how would he seek work permit.
As from late 2004-2005 application of IFRS, the whole EU wide, will increase demand for International Stream students. This shall create opportunities for people like me to seek such a route.
How would you interprete such an opening coming.

saar

saar
[/quote]

Alterego · 10-11-2003, 08:16 PM

Thankyou for taking time to make this reply, but Im afraid that doesnt answer that I seek, u c, you in your reply talked about ACA Pakistan, while Im interested in knowing that from the prospective of ACCA (UK. Here in Pakistan ICAP already squezed its offering for exemptions to ACCA affiliates. But there always is and will be fame of ACAEW u c. Its all about market perception of a qualification and its global recognition. Though Individual intelectualism vary.

Anyways, Im more interested in knowing how to gain work permits, because in Firms like PWC KPMG E&Y DT it aint easy boss.

chao

saar

salmanhkhan · 10-11-2003, 09:53 PM

No problems brother. If you are really serious in getting into ICAEW, you will have to do the following

1) Get a training contract with a CA firm in the UK (Although some overseas training opportunities are available in the Middle East and other countries, they are next to impossible to get into)

2) The CA firm will apply for your work permit (TWES)

3) You will get exempted with the papers that you sat with ACCA in UK stream (Any papers in International stream or exempted papers will not qualify for any exemptions)

Theoretically speaking should you manage to do all of the above, you will be able to become an ACA from ICAEW. Having said that, its not that simple. As you rightly said, big four audit firms are not willing to hire such candidates as they already have so much of work force availble from UK and EU itself.

What I would suggest is that you complete your ACCA, get your Bachelors degree and continue working with a CA firm in Pakistan (Big Four), if you havent yet started working with them. One you have completed your 3 years training, try applying to UK. The best bet would be that you apply internally through the firm you would be working with in Pakistan.

I know mate its not that easy at it sounds, but you will really have to struggle in order to get something.
Cheers
SK

jbladeus · 10-12-2003, 06:11 AM

Hi Salman

Actually the problem lies not with the poor CAs, but their employers. Even after 50 years of independence, they still have this fascination of anything with a foreign tag.

For them, ghar ki murghi is daal baraabar and bahar ki daal is murghi baraabar!! <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

________________________
Arrrgh... it sure's gonna be mighty rough sailin' today ... mates!

Pracs · 10-18-2003, 02:28 AM

Guy brush, the preception is only going to change when we run out of CA ew, since most Big 4 partners are originally CA ew, i see it difficult changing in the near future.

jbladeus · 10-18-2003, 04:32 AM

Pracs, i can vouch atleast for FRSH and know that its senior partners arent CAEWs. And if i am not mistaken, THKs partners arent either. Cant say much about other firms' situation. Would anybody like to put some light on this?

________________________
Arrrgh... it sure's gonna be mighty rough sailin' today ... mates!

zubair · 10-29-2003, 04:41 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
What I would suggest is that you complete your ACCA, get your Bachelors degree and continue working with a CA firm in Pakistan (Big Four), if you havent yet started working with them. One you have completed your 3 years training, try applying to UK. The best bet would be that you apply internally through the firm you would be working with in Pakistan.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi
Just for my information,
Are you aware of anybody who managed to switch over to one of the Big fours in UK from one of the Big fours in Pakistan as per the route you suggested. I am asking for a very major reason, because, as per my understanding the leglislation, it was not possisble rahter i would say commercially, not possible for a big four in UK to enact such a transfer. having said that, I might be holding outdated information.
Look forward to receiving reply.
Thanks
zubair

cyrus · 11-07-2003, 06:23 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
No problems brother. If you are really serious in getting into ICAEW, you will have to do the following

1) Get a training contract with a CA firm in the UK (Although some overseas training opportunities are available in the Middle East and other countries, they are next to impossible to get into)

2) The CA firm will apply for your work permit (TWES)

3) You will get exempted with the papers that you sat with ACCA in UK stream (Any papers in International stream or exempted papers will not qualify for any exemptions)

Theoretically speaking should you manage to do all of the above, you will be able to become an ACA from ICAEW. Having said that, its not that simple. As you rightly said, big four audit firms are not willing to hire such candidates as they already have so much of work force availble from UK and EU itself.

What I would suggest is that you complete your ACCA, get your Bachelors degree and continue working with a CA firm in Pakistan (Big Four), if you havent yet started working with them. One you have completed your 3 years training, try applying to UK. The best bet would be that you apply internally through the firm you would be working with in Pakistan.

I know mate its not that easy at it sounds, but you will really have to struggle in order to get something.
Cheers
SK

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

cyrus · 11-07-2003, 06:39 AM

Dear Saar,

i am also an ACCA student and have arived just 2 month back in uk. i would completly agree with what salman has told you.ICAEW will give u exemptions in all its professional stage papers and u will only b required to give the final advanced stage papers IF u have done ACCA on uk stream not on INT stream.

And regarding that question of UK goin to IFRS...... the thing is that ONLY companies listed on EU stock exchange will b required to published their accounts on IFRS from jan 05 and the companies listed on UK stock exchange will(atlest for the time being) continue to use the Uk acc. standards. read the article that was published in sept. 03 in student accountant. EU is still quite afraid regarding the shortage of time for implementing IFRS. France has raised voice against it and thinks that it is not the right time to change and it will threat the financial stability of europe..... so it seems and in my opinion,Uk will still continue on its own accounting standards for quite some years.

Regards

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
No problems brother. If you are really serious in getting into ICAEW, you will have to do the following

1) Get a training contract with a CA firm in the UK (Although some overseas training opportunities are available in the Middle East and other countries, they are next to impossible to get into)

2) The CA firm will apply for your work permit (TWES)

3) You will get exempted with the papers that you sat with ACCA in UK stream (Any papers in International stream or exempted papers will not qualify for any exemptions)

Theoretically speaking should you manage to do all of the above, you will be able to become an ACA from ICAEW. Having said that, its not that simple. As you rightly said, big four audit firms are not willing to hire such candidates as they already have so much of work force availble from UK and EU itself.

What I would suggest is that you complete your ACCA, get your Bachelors degree and continue working with a CA firm in Pakistan (Big Four), if you havent yet started working with them. One you have completed your 3 years training, try applying to UK. The best bet would be that you apply internally through the firm you would be working with in Pakistan.

I know mate its not that easy at it sounds, but you will really have to struggle in order to get something.
Cheers
SK

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>